Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-10
NEW HAMpsHIRE LEGIsLATURE
No Quorum in Either Body Being Pres.
ent the Legislature Adjourned until
Monday Evening-Hazen's Reasons for
Deserving His Bill.

CONCORD. n H., Sept. 8.
Both branches of the legislature met this
morning, but no quorum being present in
either body, an adjournment was made until
Monday evening. No business of Importance
was considered.
The statement from Mr.. Hazen that created
go great a sensation in the House, yesterday,
was as follows:
Mr.. Seaker and gentlemen of the House of
Representatives: | iully concur with the
gentlemen who have spoken on this floor that
the issue involved IN the pending motion is
second to no other which, in ali our history,
has claimed the consideration of this honora-
| BILE body. Impressed with these reflections
and realizing the heavy responsibility resting
upon me as a sworn member of this House,
| to say nothing of the sprcial relation connect
! ing my name with the progress and destiny
of the Hazen bill, have tried to arm myself
with frmness TO do my whole duty in the
hour when this great question shall come TO
the roll call OF final arbitrament. have
studied the question with thoughtful care in
its various unfoldings before the committee,
and, having weighed and measured it to the
very best of my ability, upon my honor as
man and my oath as a representative, | am
| finally unable to resist the conclusion that |
have been honestly mistaken, as far as the
interests of those who sent me here are con-
cerned, and, learning this, am as honestly
resolved that no fear of personal Obloquy or
false attachment TO leaders shall deter me
| from declaring, here and now, that believe
the Atherton bill, coupled with bond which
| hold in my hand, is more for the interests
of my constituents than the Hazen bill. |
was Instructed to support the Atherton bill
| by my constituents, more than three to one,
| in public meeting fairly warned and held
for that purpose. While have not regarded
| that as clearly binding me TO obedience
against nv honest convictions of duty. | must
say that the opinions OF my townsmen, some
of whom stand high among Ie business men
of New Hampshire. aud most of whom are
entitled to that respect and warm regard aris-
! ing from many years of neighborly associs-
ton, keenly impressed ME with the sense of
responsibility involved i'll voting against their
wishes, so gently expressed. Again, White
| field has a greet interest in the extension OF
the Whitefeid and Jefferson railroad from
Jefferson to Gorham, thence via Berlin to the
vast forest region beyond, as that is the only
practicable source upon which our mills can
RELY for future stock. This extension would
make our lumber mills permanent industry,
| but without it they would have to shut down
| in a very few years. You will thus observe
that this extension is of vital interest to
| w
When the vote OF instructions was preselted
to me | assured my people that | could secure
a pledge from the Boston & Maine road which
would be as satisfactory to them that OF
the Atherion bill. which guaranteed to build
the extension within two years or forfeit all
its charter rights, that being all we asked
them 10 do | have been importuned from
week to week to make good this promise, and
why have l not made it good? Simply, be
cause | have trusted to tue word of my lead
ers, and last week asked for pledge, which
| could not get except by word of mouth.
NY constituents demanded more. To sus-
tain my position, was obliged to consent to
ask the friends of the Athert)n bill for
stronger pledge than | considered WAS in their
bill, which, to my great surprise, they willing
ly granted, | previously pledging nv constit-
uents that, if they would give that pledge, |
would support the Atnerton bill. | hold in
my hands a voluntary bond, duly drawn, III
the sum of $l50,000, as a supplementary
guaranty, signed by responsible men, repre-
senting several million dollars The condi-
tons of this bond bind these gentlemen to
subscribe for one half the necessary funds to
complete the Whitefeld and Jefferson rail
road to Berlin. in the event that the Concord
and the Boston, Concord and Montreal rail-
roads shall not unite within a year from the
|
only one-half TO be raised by the people along
the line. If the Concord and Montreal roads
do unite, as proposed, of course the united
corporations will make the whole extension
themselves. There is no doding and no
equivocation about that pledge, and no doubt
about its redemption. | therefore transfer
my support and allegiance to the BILL which
stands squarely, openly and honestly for the
best interests. not only of Whtefield, but
also of jefferson, Randolph, Gorham and
Berlin. ''If this be treason, make the most
of it."
Mr.. S B. Page then rose and said The
gentleman stated upon this floor that he pro-
poses to vote for the Atherton bill, in consd-
Grafton of the reception of this bond. | here
by give notice that shall challenge his vote
when it is offered by him upon the pending
question or any other incidental to the pas
sage of the bill.